NFL Approves Defensive Headsets

Defensive players in the NFL will be able to use communication devices in the future. League owners approved the proposal by a 25-to-7 vote margin Tuesday. Similar proposals have failed to garner enough support the last two years. With the change, one defensive player on the field will be allowed to use a helmet similar to what quarterbacks wear. The helmet will be equipped with a device that allows the player to communicate with the sidelines. Under the new rule, two defensive players will have such helmets, but they won’t be allowed on the field at the same time. This is because unlike a quarterback, players on defense are seldom three-down players.